Workplace Law has re-released its Health and Safety Strategies 2007 Case Report, a downloadable publication that explores the different ways in which UK companies are tackling their health and safety issues.
[UKPRwire, Thu Jun 21 2007] Workplace health and safety has never been more paramount than it is today. In 2005/06, 212 people were killed at work, a further 1.6 million injured, and a total of 35 million days were lost due to work-related ill health and injury. With this in mind, many companies are becoming much more pro-active about their health and safety issues, and are putting initiatives in place to prevent accidents and illness before they occur.
Last week's European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on Britain's workplace health and safety laws has seen employers expressing relief that, in the short term at least, no changes will be made to existing health and safety practices. Lord McKenzie, Health and Safety minister hailed it as a "victory for common sense" and Bill Callaghan, Chairman of the HSC echoed his view, commenting, "We continue to believe that the right way forward is a proportionate and risk-based approach protecting employees and others effectively whilst allowing common sense to be applied when deciding on what protective measures to adopt".
David Wright, solicitor at Kennedy's spoke to Workplace Law, offering his view:
"My suspicion is that as far as the short term is concerned, and by 'short term' I mean years rather than weeks (bear in mind the fact that the Commission’s attack on reasonable practicability dates back ten years), no changes will be required or effected to the relevant provisions of UK health and safety legislation. All the indications from the Government and the HSC/E to date suggest that they have no wish to alter the status quo and they indeed have cited its results, in terms of the UK's comparatively impressive safety record, in support of the existing legal framework and reasonable practicability's place within it.
"In the longer term, the ECJ's judgment and its Advocate General's opinion before it, leaves the door open for further challenge by the Commission, should the Commission have the stomach for it. The ECJ has not in its judgment sanctioned the UK's allowance of employers to plead time, trouble and expense factors by way of a defence to liability. Hence that particular allowance remains vulnerable to attack. Rather, among other things, it has shot down the Commission's somewhat naive argument, which formed the basis of its case against the UK, that Directive 89/391 requires a system of no-fault liability. It is difficult to know what the outcome would have been had the Commission pleaded its case in a different, more realistic way and, with that in mind, whether the Commission will in due course resurrect the dispute."
What is certain is that employers cannot afford to relax their health and safety policies in light of this judgment. Accidents and illness at work continue to cost UK industry billions every year, and companies' health and safety records speak volumes about their work ethic and corporate responsibility. Employers can no longer afford a 'tick the box' approach to health and safety and must ensure their health and safety strategies are up to scratch.
Such measures can include health and safety policies; newsletters and events to increase awareness of safety issues; health and safety management systems, risk assessment and emergency plans; and health surveillance schemes. These schemes may be costly, but, in the words of Roger Bibbings of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, "if you think health and safety is expensive, try having an accident".
With the Corporate Manslaughter Bill firmly on the horizon, there has never been a better time for companies, large and small, to invest in health and safety.
Workplace Law Group, the UK's fastest growing provider of legal information services on employment law and health and safety, has today re-launched its Health and Safety Strategies 2007 Case Report, a downloadable publication that explores the different ways in which UK companies are tackling their health and safety issues.
With case studies from such high-profile organisations as T-Mobile, the Wellcome Trust and Severn Trent Water, this report takes a detailed look at how employers are increasingly thinking outside of the box when it comes to health and safety. Companies are increasingly encouraging their employees to take ownership of their health and safety strategies, so that effective safety measures can be implemented by those that work in the environment in question. A 'tick the box' approach is no longer appropriate in today's business environment where corporate responsibility is high on the agenda, and poor health and safety can lead to the loss of profit and reputation, not to mention life.
If you are responsible for health and safety within your organisation, this publication is an invaluable resource; both to see how other companies are managing their responsibilities, and to understand how these measures can be transferred to your own organisation. With over 40 links to sources of further information, including health and safety legislation, and schemes and initiatives developed by the HSE, Workplace Law's Health and Safety Strategies 2007 Case Report is a highly user-friendly and accessible publication that answers all your questions about health and safety.
This Case Report is a downloadable-only publication, providing instant access upon purchase. Buy before the end of June and receive a 10% discount, at a price of just GBP67.50.
For more information on Workplace Law's membership packages please call 0870 777 8881 or visit http://www.workplacelaw.net
Notes to Editors
1. The Workplace Law Network is the fastest growing legal support service in the country. Some of the UK's biggest employers, including KPMG, Tesco, the BBC and Powergen turn to us for expert advice on the law of the workplace and how it affects them.
The Workplace Law Network provides legal support to over 50,000 employers and managers. They know the law does affect them, in all areas of their business. From personnel and employment issues to health and safety and premises management, it's vital to know where you stand.
2. Workplace Law Training, Second Floor Daedalus House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2RE, 0870 777 8881, www.workplacelaw.net
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